Ecclesiastes 8:5 Meaning and Explanation
“Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man's heart discerneth both time and judgment.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The one who keeps the command is kept from harm, and the wise heart knows the right time and the right way to act.
What Does Ecclesiastes 8:5 Mean?
Building on his counsel about authority, the Preacher promises that obedience generally shields a person from needless trouble. The wise do not merely follow rules; they perceive the fitting moment and the proper response.
This discernment of time and judgment is one of wisdom's finest gifts. Life is not lived by formula but by reading each situation with a heart trained to know when and how to act. Such sensitivity grows in those who walk closely with God, learning to recognize His timing and to do what is right at the right hour.
Ecclesiastes 8:5 in the Original Language
mishpat (מִשְׁפָּט), 'judgment' -- the right way, the just and fitting course of action in a given moment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ecclesiastes 8:5
What does Ecclesiastes 8:5 mean?
The one who keeps the command is kept from harm, and the wise heart knows the right time and the right way to act.